Three decades after its debut, The Simpsons still has plenty of life left in it, according to Fox Television Group Chairman and CEO Dana Walden.
The beloved animated comedy enters its 30th season this fall, no announcement has been made about its future beyond that, in part because of Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox’s key assets, which will result in the studio that produces The Simpsons being separated from the network that broadcasts it. However, Walden assured journalists at the Television Critics Association’s summer press tour that The Simpsons isn’t going anywhere.
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“Simpsons has been so much a part of the brand, there are no plans for the show to go anywhere but Fox,” she said. “For the foreseeable future, there’s so much upside and benefit to have such a great, Emmy-winning series. There is no consideration of not ordering more Simpsons.”
Walden also spoke about the controversy surrounding the character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon. The Kwik-E-Mart owner has become a subject of debate, with some critics insisting he’s little more than a caricature. The conversation gained widespread attention in 2017 when comedian Hari Kondabolu released the documentary, The Problem With Apu. In it, Kondabolu and his fellow Indian and South Asian actors and comedians related their own problems with the character, and how Apu was used as a blanket insult for them and their families.
Since then, the show’s producers and stars have had mixed reactions. Creator Matt Groening claimed the controversy has become “tainted,” and the series itself addressed the matter (with a very lackluster explanation) last season. Conversely, voice actor Hank Azaria has said he’s willing to step back from the character.
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Speaking about the controversy, Walden said, “In a day of social media where fans are able to have a public forum, I can’t say ultimately we were surprised. I think it’s good information for the creators to receive. They focused on the reaction, and I think that’s partially informing how they will move forward. We have had the conversation with producer Jim Brooks and his team and we’ve basically left it up to them. They’ve treated the characters with so much respect. We trust them to handle it in a way that will be best for the show. Ultimately we decided that would be their decision.”
The Simpsons achieved some serious records with Season 29. The 18th episode of the season, “Forgive and Regret,” was the 636th episode of the series. That made The Simpsons the longest-running scripted primetime television series of all time. The Simpsons is slated to return Sunday, Sept. 30, on Fox.
(via USA Today)